Devices for opening and handling from a distance a container, and in particular an irradiated tube



Aprll 1963 M. DOUIS ETAL 85,327

DEVICES FOR OPENING AND HANDLING FROM A DISTANCE A CONTAINER, AND INPARTICULAR AN IRRADIATED TUBE Filed July 30, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aprll16, 1963 M. DOUIS ETAL 8 ,32

DEVICES FOR OPENING AND HANDLING FROM A DISTANCE A CONTAINER, AND INPARTICULAR AN IRRADIATED TUBE Flled July 50, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 p 16,1963 M. DOUIS ETAL 85,327

DEVICES FOR OPENING AND HANDLING FROM A DISTANCE A CONTAINER, AND INPARTICULAR AN IRRADIATED TUBE Filed July 30, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3llllllllllllllllllllllll lllllll'lllllllllllllllll III United StatesPatent Oflice 3,85,327 Patented Apr. 16, 1963 DEVICE Fifth. QPENING ANDHANDLENG FRGM A DISTANCE A (IGNTAENER, AND EN RAR'HCU- LAR AN HRRADIATEDTUBE Michel Douis, Maisons-Alfort, Jean Godart, (Ilichy,

Jacques .l'ouin, Chaville, Henri Laurent, Fontenay-aux- Roses, andMichel Sougi, Paris, France, assignors to Commissariat a lEnergieAtornique, Paris, France, a State administration Filed July 30, 1958,Ser- No. 752,039 Ciaims priority, application France Aug. 2, E57 2Claims. (til. Bil-11) The present invention relates to devices foropening a container from a distance, and it is more especially but notexclusively concerned with such devices which enable an operator to openan irradiated tubular container, whatever be the mean-s of closingthereof, said operator being separated from said container by aprotecting shield such as a lead wall.

The chief object of our invention is to provide a device of this kindwhich is better adapted to meet the requirements of practice than thoseexisting at the present time, and in particular which permits a cleanopening of the container, that is to say without producing dust andshavings and projecting them into the container.

The device according to our invention includes means for controllingfrom a distance the positioning of the container and the movements ofthe working tool, and it is characterized in that said tool is an edgetool capable of cleanly cutting the matter of the container withoutchasing it, the means for controlling from a distance the displacementsof the tool being arranged so that said tool penetrates in a gradual andcontinuous manner into the material of said container kept in fixedposition, the tool first sliding around the surface of the container,then enering more and more into said surface.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be hereinafterdescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings, given merely byway of example and in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 of these drawings show, respectively in axial verticalsection on the line II of FIG. 2 and in plan view with parts cut away, adevice made according to the invention for opening irradiated tubes.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the main elements of a device madeaccording to the invention for opening and emptying irradiated tubes.

In what follows it will be supposed that the above mentioned containeris a tube 1 in the form of a surface of revolution, this tube havingthin metallic walls and being capable of emitting noxious radiations. Itis desired to open this tube by cutting off one of the ends thereof.

It should be recalled that products subjected to irradiation in anuclear reactor are generally disposed in an envelope which is mostoften closed.

If the closing of the envelope does not involve any difiiculty since allthe materials are at this time free from any noxious radiations, thesame is not true when it is desired to open it after irradiation, andfor this operation the operator makes use of a protecting screeninterposed between the irradiated envelope and himself. It is desired toopen the envelope from a distance.

It has already been proposed to make use of millingtcols, saws orknurling wheels, but these tools work by metal abrasion or tearing oil,which produces metallic dust generally projected into the protectingcasing from which it is diificult to eliminate. Some of this dust mayeven penetrate to the inside of the tube and soil the irradiatedproducts present therein. Furthermore these instruments chase the metaland tend to project shavings onto said products.

These drawbacks are obviated, according to our invention, by making useof an edge tool 2 (FIG. 1) having good cutting properties so as cleanlyto cut the metal of the envelope by penetrating thereinto.

For example we make use:

To Work on aluminum envelopes, of a flat and bevelled tool which cutsthe metal without chasing it and without forming shavings or dust;

And to work on iron or steel envelopes, of a cuttingoff tool theoperation of which forms only big shavings which can easily be removed.

The means for producing the desired displacements of tool 2 with respectto envelope 1 are arranged in such manner that said tool attacks in avery gradual and continuous manner the metal of the envelope, which isthen kept stationary, this tool first sliding along the surface of theenvelope, then penetrating more and more thereinto so as to exert thedesired cutting action.

We will now describe a first embodiment of the device according to ourinvention.

By means of tongues operable from a distance, such as are well known inthis field of work, we dispose tube 1 vertically on a horizontalplatform 3 adapted to be displaced vertically in the following manner: ahorizontal rack 4, adapted to be moved longitudinally from a distance bythe operator, meshes with a double pinion 5 having a horizontal axiswhich is also in mesh with a vertical rack 6 rigid with platform 3,whereby the reciprocating horizontal displacements of horizontal rack 4produce the desired vertical displacements of tube d.

Once this tube has been set to the suitable height, it is fixed andcentered by being caught between two jaws 7. This operation is effectedby radial sliding in slideways 8 of the supports 9 of these jaws 7. Inorder to obtain this radial sliding, teeth it) rigid with supports 9 aredriven by means of horizontal ribs 11 of helical shape carried by aconical ring gear 12 the vertical axis of which coincides with that ofthe machine. Rotation of this ring gear 12 is controlled by that,effected from a distance, of a conical pinion 13 (FIG. 2) having ahorizontal axis.

laws 7 are easily removable from their supports 9 in which they aresimply engaged vertically, guiding means 14 being provided to ensuretheir accurate positioning with respect to said supports 9.

The means for displacing tool 2 with respect to tube 1 fixed in correctposition are supported by the upper part of the frame '15 of themachine, which upper part essentially includes vertical columns 15 and abracing plate 15 The above mentioned means essentially include thefollowing elements:

A worm 16 driven [From a distance;

A worm wheel 17 in mesh with said worm l6 and pivoted, through theintermediate of a bearing 18, about a fixed spindle 19 extending alongthe vertical axis of the machine and carried by plate 15 A planetarygear train comprising gears 20, 21, 22., Q3, 24, 25 and 26 alljournalled about vertical axes in worm wheel l7, forming three pairs,respectively, 2il21, 2223, 24-25, the two gears of each pair beingcoaxial and fixed with respect to each other, gear 20 meshing with apinion 27 fixed on spindle 19, gear 21 meshing with gear 22, gear 23with gear 24 and gear 25 with gear 26;

And an eccentric cam 28 having a closed outline and turning togetherwith gear 26.

The tool carrier 29 is supported by worm wheel 17 so as to be slidablealong a radius of this wheel. It is constantly applied against cam 28 byelastic means such as a leaf spring 30, or helical springs, interposedbetween the tool carrier and the worm wheel.

According to a satisfactory embodiment given merely by way of example,the dimensions of the various transmission clernents have been chosen sothat:

Worm wheel 17 makes one revolution for 5.4 revolutions of worm 16;

The complete feed of the tool, that is to say its complete movementtoward the axis of the machine, is 2.5 mm, this feed being effected in aregular manner at the rate of 0.05 mm. for every revolution of the wormwheel and the total backward movement of the tool being subsequentlyobtained very quickly for some revolutions of the worm Wheel, still inthe same direction.

The initial radial position of tool 2 may be adjusted by making use of anut 31 slidable radially with respect to the tool carrier 29 under theeffect of a screw $2 engaged in this nut 31.

'The operations to be effected are as follows:

Tube 1 is placed on platform 3 by means of tongues operated from adistance;

The ventical position of said tube is obtained by sliding horizontalrack 4;

The tube is centered and tightly held by rotating bevel pin-ion 13;

The tool 2 is set in position by rotating screw 32;

And the opening of tube 1 is obtained .by rotating worm When tube 1contains a radioactive substance in the powdery or liquid state or evenin the state of a finished or semifinished article or in any otherstate, it may be advantageous to arrange the device so that this tube,once opened, can easily be emptied by gravity.

For this purpose, the whole of the tube and of its holding means ismounted pivotably about a horizontal axis, which permits of giving theaxis of this tube a plurality of different inclinations, that is to say,on the one hand to open this tube without the opening operation beingmade diflicult by the substance present in the tube, the part to beopened being then disposed at the top while said substance is at thebottom, and on the other hand to overturn this tube so as to evacuatesaid substance therefrom by gravity through the opened end of the tube.

In order to permit these variations of inclination, it is advantageousto use, for controlling jaws 7, electrical means rather than themechanical telecontrol means above disclosed.

For instance we provide at least one electro-rnagne-t 33 capable ofattracting, when it is excited with direct current, against the actionof a return force developed by a spring 34, a lever 35 pivoted at one ofits ends on the frame of the eleotro-magnet and at the other end on oneof the jaws 7.

The framework 36 which supports the means for positioning and cuttingtube 1 is mounted pivotably about the horizontal axis of two journals 37mounted in bearings 38 rigid with the fixed frame 39 of the machine.

The movements of rotation of this framework 36 and of the parts itsupports about said axis are controlled by means of a motor 4% throughsuitable gears 41 to 44, the last of these gears, 44, being a worm wheelturning together with said framework 36.

A counterweight 45 rigid with framework 36 balances the weight thereof.

To place tube 1 in position, there is provided a passage 46 along theaxis of the space left free between the jaws.

For the evacuation of the heads 47 of tubes 1, detached from said tubes,we provide on the movable framework 36 and the fixed frame 39 aplurality of successive inclined planes 4%, 49 capable of leading bygravity said heads 47 to a tank 50 in which they are collected.

In order to enable the substance contained in tube 1 to be poured outtherefrom, we dispose along the axis of this tube, opposite the headthereof, an outlet nozzle 51. This nozzle, which extends axially throughthe central portion of worm wheel 17, is slidable axially, against thereturn force of a spring 52, by means of a lever 53 actuated by anelectro-magnet 54 when said electro-magnet is excited. The axial slidingmovements of this nozzle permit of bringing it into either of twopositions, a retracted one in which it is at a distance from tube 1, sothat it does not interfere with the work of tool 2, and a projectingposition in which its outer edge is applied along the open end of tube1, against the jaws 7 which surround this tube. In this position, thenozzle is so to speak connected with the tube and permits the outflow ofits contents into a receiving tank 55.

Micro-switches, not shown by the drawings, serve to limit the amplitudeof the oscillations of the framework to Well determined values.

The drive of endless screw or worm 16, and therefore that of tool 2,, isensured by a variable speed motor, the speed being for instance chosen,in accordance with the thickness of the wall of the tube, so that thetotal time necessary for cutting the end thereof is always substantiallythe same.

The operation of this device is as follows:

Initially, the axis of passage 46 and of nozzle 51 is horizontal(position shown on the drawing), nozzle 51 being in its retractedposition and tool 2 being disengaged.

An irradiated tube 1 is introduced through passage 46 by means oftongues operated from a distance, and this tube 1 is brought oppositejaws 7.

Electro-magnet 33 is excited, which causes jaws 7 to be tightened abouttube 1 and therefore makes this tube rigid with framework 36.

Then framework 36 is pivoted, for instance through 30, so as to bringpassage 46 into the position shown in dot-and-dash lines at 46 Thesubstance contained in tube 1 is then caused by gravity to move awayfrom the head 47 of the tube, so that the cutting tool 2 can act uponsaid head 47 without risk of coming into contact with said substance.

Worm 16 is then driven so as to actuate tool 2, which performs itscutting operation by rotating about tube 1 and gradually penetratinginto the surface thereof. The head 47 of the tube drops down as soon asit is cut and it is guided by planes 48 and 49 to tank 50.

Electro-magnet 54 is then excited, Which causes nozzle 51 to slide intocontact with the opening of tube 1.

Framework 36 is rotated in a direction opposed to that above mentionedso that the axis of nozzle 51 makes with the horizontal an angle of 45(as shown at 51 on the drawing). The substance contained in tube 1 isthus poured out, through this nozzle 51, into tank 55.

The framework 36 is then returned into its horizontal position, nozzle51 being returned to its retracted position by cutting off theenergizing of electro-magnet 54 and jaws 7 are moved into their positionof rest by cutting off the energizing of electro-magnet 33.

Tube .1, which is now opened and empty, is ejected through passage 46 bytele-operated means.

Safety systems are provided so as automatically to prevent any operationfrom being performed out of its turn.

As a rule, the devices according to this invention are adjusted for thetreatment of tubes of revolution of a well determined diameter andthickness.

However they may be used for tubes of different dimensions by replacingfor instance the holding jaws or the electro-magnets which displacethem, by modifying the displacement of the tool, the speed of rotationof the motor which drives Worm 16, etc.

In a general manner, while we have, in the above description, disclosedwhat we deem to be preferred embodiments of our invention, we do notwish to be limited thereto as there might be changes made in thearrangement, disposition and form of the parts, without departing fromthe scope of the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. A device for cutting one end of a cylindrical container, whichcomprises, in combination, a frame, a plate mounted in said frame forsupporting said container, means for holding said container on saidplate, a wheel journalled in said frame about an axis in coincidenceWith that of said container, means for rotating said Wheel from adistanw, a planetary gear train supported by said wheel, the respectiveaxes of the gears of said train being all parallel .to the axis of saidWheel, a gear wheel fixed in said frame coaxially with said wheel, thefirst gear of said gear train being in mesh with said gear wheel, a camhaving its closed outline in a plane perpen- 10 dicular to said axis,this cam being fixed to the last gear of said gear train coaxially withrespect thereto, a tool holder guided radially with respect to saidWheel about a radial plane thereof intersecting said cam outline, saidtool holder having a Wall transverse to said radial plane adapted tocooperate with said cam to receive therefrom a radial movement inaddition to the circular movement imparted thereto by said Wheel, meansfor resiliently urging said tool holder wall against said cam and a toolhaving its cutting edge in a plane perpendicular to said axis, said toolbeing carried by said tool holder and extending from said tool holdertoward said axis, said tool and said cam being so dimensionad andpositioned that, as said Wheel is rotating, said tool cutting edge iscaused first to slide along the wall of said cylindrical container, thento cut more and more thereinto in a gradual and continuous manner, andfinally to move away therefrom after cutting of said wall.

2. -A device according to claim 1 in which the outline of said cam is inthe form of a spiral wound about a point located on the axis of saidlast gear.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS479,593 Gregory July 26, 1892 1,100,747 Krauss June 23, 1914 2,459,075Hibbard Jan. 11, 1949 2,463,276 Hrabarchuk Mar. 1, 1949 2,516,817 WernliJuly 25, 1950 2,661,855 Jorgenson Dec. 8, 1953 2,765,005 Wellekens Oct.2, 1956 2,824,745 Ruth et al Feb. 25, 1958

1. A DEVICE FOR CUTTING ONE END OF A CYLINDRICAL CONTAINER, WHICHCOMPRISES, IN COMBINATION, A FRAME, A PLATE MOUNTED IN SAID FRAME FORSUPPORTING SAID CONTAINER, MEANS FOR HOLDING SAID CONTAINER ON SAIDPLATE, A WHEEL JOURNALLED IN SAID FRAME ABOUT AN AXIS IN COINCIDENCEWITH THAT OF SAID CONTAINER, MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID WHEEL FROM ADISTANCE, A PLANETARY GEAR TRAIN SUPPORTED BY SAID WHEEL, THE RESPECTIVEAXES OF THE GEARS OF SAID TRAIN BEING ALL PARALLEL TO THE AXIS OF SAIDWHEEL, A GEAR WHEEL FIXED IN SAID FRAME COAXIALLY WITH SAID WHEEL, THEFIRST GEAR OF SAID GEAR TRAIN BEING IN MESH WITH SAID GEAR WHEEL, A CAMHAVING ITS CLOSED OUTLINE IN A PLANE PERPENDICULAR TO SAID AXIS, THISCAM BEING FIXED TO THE LAST GEAR OF SAID GEAR TRAIN COAXIALLY WITHRESPECT THERETO, A TOOL HOLDER GUIDED RADIALLY WITH RESPECT TO SAIDWHEEL ABOUT A RADIAL PLANE THEREOF INTERSECTING SAID CAM OUTLINE, SAIDTOOL HOLDER HAVING A WALL TRANSVERSE TO SAID RADIAL PLANE ADAPTED TOCOOPERATE WITH SAID CAM TO RECEIVE THEREFROM A RADIAL MOVEMENT INADDITION TO THE CIRCULAR MOVEMENT IMPARTED THERETO BY SAID WHEEL, MEANSFOR RESILIENTLY URGING SAID TOOL HOLDER WALL AGAINST SAID CAM AND A TOOLHAVING ITS CUTTING EDGE IN A PLANE PERPENDICULAR TO SAID AXIS, SAID TOOLBEING CARRIED BY SAID TOOL HOLDER AND EXTENDING FROM SAID TOOL HOLDERTOWARD SAID AXIS, SAID TOOL AND SAID CAM BEING SO DIMENSIONED ANDPOSITIONED THAT, AS SAID WHEEL IS ROTATIN, SAID TOOL CUTTING EDGE ISCAUSED FIRST TO SLIDE ALONG THE WALL OF SAID CYLINDRICAL CONTAINER, THENTO CUT MORE AND MORE THEREINTO IN A GRADUAL AND CONTINUOUS MANNER, ANDFINALLY TO MOVE AWAY THEREFROM AFTER CUTTING OF SAID WALL.